Hunslet first in line for Oldham class of 2011

OLDHAM Roughyeds begin their competitive 2011 season with a home game against newly-promoted Hunslet Hawks on Sunday, February 6 (3pm kick-off).

The match at the Whitebank Stadium pits last season's Co-operative Championship One winners against Tony Benson's men, who finished as runners-up and play-off final losers, in a Northern Rail Cup pool game.

Oldham's other three fixtures in the season-opening competition are against Halifax (away), Swinton (away) and Whitehaven (home).

After that, the new Co-operative Championship One season starts with a home fixture against Gateshead on Sunday, March 13, at the Whitebank Stadium (3pm).

The first local derby of the season sees Rochdale make the short trip as visitors on Good Friday, April 22 (3pm), a game which is followed up three days later with an Easter Monday trip to Whitehaven (3pm).

Swinton's new home at The Willows gets a visit from the Roughyeds on Friday, May 27 (8pm), while the fixture in the capital against London Skolars will be held on Saturday, July 9, at The Stoop (5pm) — more normally the home of Harlequins RL.

The season is rounded off with a second away match at Workington on Sunday, September 4 (3pm).

With Blackpool Panthers folding, the RFL have decided that a 20-game season will be made up by two additional fixtures for each side.

As well as Workington, Oldham's other extra game is against South Wales at home on Sunday, August 21 (3pm). More in tomorrow’s Chronicle.


SADDLEWORTH Rangers' game at East Hull in the Premier Division of the National Conference League, the clash between Myton and Oldham St Anne's in Division One and Waterhead's trip to Castleford Lock Lane in Division Two were all postponed due to frozen pitches.